The Countdown to Windows 10 End of Life: What IT Teams Need to Know

Microsoft’s decision to end support for Windows 10, its most popular operating system, marks a pivotal moment for businesses relying on this aging platform. As of October 14, 2025, this change will leave organizations with critical decisions about how to address the security and operational risks of using legacy systems. 

While Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for up to three years, these come at a steep cost, particularly for business customers. A three-year ESU subscription costs about $427 per device. Beyond the financial impact, managing the transition to ESU programs or updating to Microsoft 11 requires considerable time, as manual updates with limited IT resources can be a daunting task. 

But what if you can’t—or choose not to—pursue ESUs or move to Microsoft 11? Here’s what you need to know about the security risks facing legacy systems and how your IT team can prepare. 

The Hidden Dangers of Legacy Systems 

Legacy systems can seem like the practical choice for many businesses, especially when they’re still functional. But appearances can be deceiving. Unsupported operating systems and applications are a magnet for threat actors because: 

1. Vulnerabilities accumulate over time — Older systems continue to accumulate vulnerabilities even after they’re no longer officially supported. Despite being retired, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 have collectively accumulated more than 1,300 CVEs. Without timely patches, these systems become easy targets for exploitation. 
2. Unsupported systems expand the attack surface — Defunct applications, outdated drivers, and unpatched firmware exacerbate security risks. For instance, vulnerabilities in custom business applications or obsolete software like old versions of Microsoft Office can be weaponized by attackers for phishing schemes or malware distribution. 
3. Cultural resistance to change is alive and well — A common attitude of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” makes removing legacy systems challenging. Unfortunately, this mindset overlooks the compounding risk of leaving older technologies in place. 
4. Exploits can (and will) be recycled —Exploits for older vulnerabilities can resurface years after they were first discovered, such as a 2004 Apache Web server CVE recently used for crypto-mining attacks. Legacy systems make organizations particularly susceptible to such recycled threats.

Recent research found that of older Windows operating systems, Windows 10 (which is the only OS on the list that’s currently supported) was not only the most targeted OS, but it was also targeted using vulnerabilities with a ‘high’ severity ranking. By comparison Windows 2008 (which was unsupported as of January 14, 2020), ranked second as the most targeted OS for both vulnerabilities classified as ‘high’ and ‘critical’.

Source: Orange Cyberdefense

The findings reinforce the omnipresent risk that unsupported and overlooked operating systems continue to face. This risk far outweighs any benefits (which are few) of doing nothing. 

Preparing for Windows 10 EOL 

If your organization’s devices fail the Windows 11 compatibility test or upgrading isn’t feasible, now is the time to plan. Here are four actionable steps your team can take to mitigate risks and prepare for the transition: 

1. Conduct a Comprehensive Asset Audit 
   Inventory all systems running Windows 10 and identify hardware that cannot support Windows 11. Use Microsoft’s Windows compatibility test to verify upgrade eligibility. 
2. Evaluate Extended Security Updates (ESUs) 
   Weigh the costs of ESUs against the potential impact of a breach. For some organizations, a subscription-based update program might be a cost-effective stopgap, particularly in educational environments with discounted rates. 
3. Migrate Critical Systems to the Cloud 
   Cloud-based solutions can reduce dependency on local hardware and operating systems. Migrating critical workloads to platforms like Azure or AWS ensures ongoing security and support. 
4. Establish a Legacy Systems Decommission Plan 
   Set a timeline to phase out unsupported systems and replace them with modern alternatives. Include user training and data migration strategies to ensure a smooth transition without disrupting business operations.
   

How Morphisec Can Help Secure Your Legacy Systems 

When it comes to protecting legacy systems, traditional security solutions often fall short. Low bandwidth environments and outdated OS architectures lack the computing power and visibility capabilities needed to support next-generation anti-virus (NGAV), endpoint protection platforms (EPP), and endpoint detection and response (EDR/XDR) solutions.  

For organizations grappling with unsupported or air-gapped systems, Morphisec offers an innovative and lightweight alternative. Morphisec's Automated Moving Target Defense (AMTD) technology transforms the runtime memory environment, morphing system assets and placing decoys in their place. Trusted processes operate seamlessly, while attackers engaging with decoys are immediately trapped for forensic analysis. 

This unique approach delivers unparalleled protection against advanced threats, including fileless attacks, in-memory exploits, ransomware and supply chain attacks. 

Unlike traditional security tools, Morphisec: 

• Requires no updates for signatures or indicators of compromise (IoCs) 

• Operates without relying on visibility capabilities unsupported by legacy systems 

• Functions in air-gapped environments without an internet connection
  

For unsupported systems that cannot receive patches, Morphisec acts as a compensating control, effectively dismantling attack pathways to prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited. This makes it an essential tool for securing EOL systems like Windows 10, Linux, and older Microsoft applications. 

Gartner has identified AMTD as a “game-changing technology for improving cyber defense.” Morphisec’s lightweight, proactive approach empowers organizations to defend against the most sophisticated attacks while ensuring compliance for EOL systems. 

Adaptive Exposure Management (AEM), a key feature of Morphisec’s Anti-Ransomware Assurance Suite, delivers a dynamic and forward-thinking approach to exposure management. Built on the foundation of AMTD, AEM continuously evolves alongside your organization’s attack surface, proactively addressing changes and vulnerabilities across your digital ecosystem. 

By leveraging next-generation vulnerability prioritization, AEM provides continuous, risk-based remediation recommendations tailored to your organization’s unique business context. This ensures a streamlined and effective patch management process, helping you stay ahead of emerging threats. 

Morphisec’s risk-based vulnerability prioritization showing results for CVE-2023-4863 (libwebp)

With Morphisec, IT teams gain a practical and cost-effective solution for securing legacy systems without compromising performance or operational continuity. Whether your systems are fully supported or nearing EOL, Morphisec ensures robust, forward-looking protection for your entire IT environment. 

The Clock is Ticking 

The end of Windows 10 support is more than just a milestone: it’s a call to action for businesses to modernize their IT environments. While ESUs offer a temporary solution, proactive measures—such as audits, migration, virtual patching capabilities and preemptive cyber defense—are the best way to future-proof your operations. 

Get a head start on Windows 10 EOL preparations.